#Court
Hong Kong Court-apported liquidator attempts to take control of the #AppleDailyTaiwan Assets

On November 26, 2021, the Taiwan based Economic Democracy Union (#EDU) warned potential breaches of human rights and national security ramifications after a Hong Kong court-appointed liquidator sought permission to order Taiwan-based #AppleDaily and #NextMagazine to turn over all of their assets.

The union, a consortium of non-governmental organizations, urged the Taiwan government to take immediate action to ensure that Hong Kong’s #NationalSecurityLaw would have no foothold in #Taiwan.

According to a lawyer of the EDU, Taiwan would be in its rights to ignore the demands because they have not been reviewed by Taiwanese courts, and because Taiwanese courts can decline to enforce foreign laws.

Likewise, the EDU has framed the issue as significant in needing to prevent the Hong Kong National Security Law from encroaching upon Taiwanese sovereignty. The EDU also emphasized the potential dangers if the Apple Daily turned over information to Hong Kong authorities as a result of the seizure of its assets.

The liquidator is court-appointed, following the Apple Daily’s closure in June 2021. Hong Kong courts also froze 18 million Hong Kong dollars in company funds, preventing it from paying its workers, not long after courts moved to freeze assets of company CEO #JimmyLai.

Source: RFI; #Nov26

https://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E6%B8%AF%E6%BE%B3%E5%8F%B0/20211126-%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E6%B8%85%E7%9B%A4%E5%AE%98%E4%BF%83-%E5%8F%B0%E8%98%8B-%E4%BA%A4%E8%B3%87%E7%94%A2-%E6%B0%91%E5%9C%98%E6%86%82%E6%B3%84%E6%96%B0%E8%81%9E%E6%9D%90%E6%96%99-%E6%9B%B4%E6%81%90%E5%9C%8B%E5%AE%89%E6%B3%95%E5%9C%A8%E5%8F%B0%E6%8F%92%E8%B6%B3

#PoliceState #Assets #Liquidation #Arrest #CrossStraits

#Court
Jimmy Lai and 7 democrats jailed for involvement in banned Tiananmen Massacre Vigil

A Hong Kong court has sentenced eight democrats to jail for organising, taking part in, or inciting others to participate in the #TiananmenMassacre #vigil in 2020.

Former leaders of the now-defunct #HongKongAlliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China – including chairperson #Lee CheukYan, vice-chairperson #ChowHangTung, executive committee member #SimonLeung, as well as liquidator #RichardTsoi – were among the eight defendants. The other defendants were Hong Kong media tycoon #JimmyLai, former lawmakers #LeungYiuChung and #WuChiWai, and activist #GwynethHo.

Each of the defendants was handed jail terms of between four months and two weeks and 14 months for the various charges – all will serve their sentences concurrently.

The judge insisted on the need for “deterrent” sentences, accusing the defendants of “wrongly and arrogantly” thought that the purpose of the commemoration was “more important than protecting the community [from pandemic]”.

#ErasingHistory #PoliticalOppression #WhiteTerror

Source: Inmediahk.net; #Dec13
https://bit.ly/3yks32U

#NobelPeacePrize Laureate Pays Tribute to #AppleDaily Founder #JimmyLai Among Other Media Workers

Source: Rappler #Dec10

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️

#NobelPeacePrize Laureate Pays Tribute to #AppleDaily Founder #JimmyLai Among Other Media Workers

The 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was award to #MariaRessa and #DmitryMuratov, independent journalists in the Philippines and Russia respectively, for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.

In the award ceremony on December 10, 2021, Ressa and Muratov paid tribute to all those media workers who were murdered or detain, upon receiving the Peace Prize in Oslo.

Ressa is a journalist and the CEO of Rappler, a news outlet
in the Philippines that is critical of the government. In her acceptance speech, Reesa called to attention the press freedom at stake in different parts of the word:

"I remember he brutal dismemberment of Jamal Khashoggi, the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta, my friend, Luz Mely Reyes in Venezuela, Roman Protasevich in Belarus (whose plane was literally hijacked so he could be arrested), Jimmy Lai languishing in a Hong Kong prison, Sonny Swe, who after getting out of more than seven years in jail, started another news group and now is forced to flee Myanmar."

Source: Rappler #Dec10

https://www.rappler.com/world/global-affairs/full-text-maria-ressa-speech-nobel-peace-prize-awarding-ceremony-2021/

#PoliticalOppression #PressFreedom
2021 marks a sad milestone for Journalists in HK : Committee to Protect Journalists

In the Committee to Protect Journalists (#CPJ) annual report 2021, it revealed that the number of journalists jailed around the world had set another record in 2021, with #China remains the world’s worst jailer of journalists for the third year in a row, with 50 behind bars. 

As for Hong Kong, it said that 2021 "marked a sad milestone".

"For the first time journalists in the former British colony appear on CPJ’s annual survey of journalists unjustly imprisoned for their work. Eight. Zero to eight in one year."

READ FULL ARTICLE:
https://cpj.org/2021/12/hong-kongs-sad-media-milestone/

RELATED ARTICLE:
https://cpj.org/2021/12/attacks-on-the-press-in-2021/

The number of reporters jailed for their work hit a new global record of 293 in CPJ’s 2021 prison census, up from a revised total of 280 in 2020. Also so far in 2021, at least 24 journalists were killed as a result of their coverage.

#NationalSecurityLaw #FreedomOfSpeech #PressFreedom #JimmyLai #AppleDaily

Source : Committee to Protect Journalists; #Dec9

#Court
8 Pro-democracy Hongkongers jailed for 4.5 months to 14 months for inciting June 4 rallies

The Hong Kong police banned the June 4 rally in Victoria Park in 2020 on the grounds of pandemic prevention, and a number of members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC; the Alliance) and pan-democrats were later charged with inciting, holding and participating in an unauthorised rally.

Among them, five pleaded guilty before the trial, while three pleaded not guilty and were convicted after the trial, and were jailed for four months and two weeks to 14 months on 13 December, 2021.

#TonyeeChow Hang-tung made her own plea, stressing that the collapse of political space struck a harder blow to Hongkongers than the epidemic, and that the court dismissed the political suppression of Hongkongers in the name of epidemic prevention.

#JimmyLai Chee-ying also wrote a letter of plea, saying, “If commemorating those who died because of injustice is a crime, then inflict on me that crime and let me suffer the punishment of this crime”.

However, Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock criticised the defendants for ignoring the risks posed by the pandemic and for their arrogance and misconception of believing that the right to assembly was more important than safeguarding public health.

Among them, Lee Cheuk-yan, Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong and Leung Yiu-chung, who committed the offences while on bail then, had their sentences were increased by three months.

Lee Cheuk-yan, who had a leading role in inciting, organising and participating in the rally, received the heaviest sentence of 14 months. For incitement and participation, Richard Tsoi, Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Kam-wai were sentenced to 12 months, 9 months and 9 months of imprisonment respectively. Wu Chi-wai was sentenced to four months and two weeks of imprisonment for his participation.

Of the three who pleaded not guilty, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to an additional three months for offences committed while on bail, totaling out to 13 months in imprisonment for incitement. Tonyee Chow was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment for incitement and participation, while Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam was sentenced to six months of imprisonment for participating.

Lee Cheuk-yan and Jimmy Lai’s sentences were to be served concurrently with the other assembly cases and no additional prison time was required, leaving the total sentence for all cases at 20 months for the time being.

Source: HK Citizens' News #Jan13

https://www.hkcnews.com/article/49003/%E9%BB%8E%E6%99%BA%E8%8B%B1-%E9%84%92%E5%B9%B8%E5%BD%A4-%E4%BD%95%E6%A1%82%E8%97%8D-49015/%E3%80%90%E7%85%BD%E6%83%91%E5%85%AD%E5%9B%9B%E9%9B%86%E6%9C%83%E6%A1%88%E3%80%918%E8%A2%AB%E5%91%8A%E5%9B%9A4%E5%80%8B%E5%8D%8A%E6%9C%88%E8%87%B314%E6%9C%88-%E5%AE%98%E6%96%A5%E8%87%AA%E5%A4%A7%E5%8F%AA%E9%87%8D%E9%9B%86%E6%9C%83%E6%AC%8A%E5%88%A9%E6%BC%A0%E8%A6%96%E7%96%AB%E6%83%85-%E9%BB%8E%E6%99%BA%E8%8B%B1%EF%BC%9A%E8%8B%A5%E6%82%BC%E5%BF%B5%E5%85%AD%E5%9B%9B%E6%98%AF%E7%BD%AA-%E5%B0%B1%E8%AE%93%E6%88%91%E8%83%8C%E8%B2%A0

#June4 #Massacre #Vigil #PoliticalProsecution

#Court
8 Pro-democracy Hongkongers jailed for 4.5 months to 14 months for inciting June 4 rallies

The Hong Kong police banned the June 4 rally in Victoria Park in 2020 on the grounds of pandemic prevention, and a number of members of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China (HKASPDMC; the Alliance) and pan-democrats were later charged with inciting, holding and participating in an unauthorised rally.

Among them, five pleaded guilty before the trial, while three pleaded not guilty and were convicted after the trial, and were jailed for four months and two weeks to 14 months on 13 December, 2021.

#TonyeeChow Hang-tung made her own plea, stressing that the collapse of political space struck a harder blow to Hongkongers than the epidemic, and that the court dismissed the political suppression of Hongkongers in the name of epidemic prevention.

#JimmyLai Chee-ying also wrote a letter of plea, saying, “If commemorating those who died because of injustice is a crime, then inflict on me that crime and let me suffer the punishment of this crime”.

However, Judge Amanda Jane Woodcock criticised the defendants for ignoring the risks posed by the pandemic and for their arrogance and misconception of believing that the right to assembly was more important than safeguarding public health.

Among them, Lee Cheuk-yan, Richard Tsoi Yiu-cheong and Leung Yiu-chung, who committed the offences while on bail then, had their sentences were increased by three months.

Lee Cheuk-yan, who had a leading role in inciting, organising and participating in the rally, received the heaviest sentence of 14 months. For incitement and participation, Richard Tsoi, Leung Yiu-chung and Leung Kam-wai were sentenced to 12 months, 9 months and 9 months of imprisonment respectively. Wu Chi-wai was sentenced to four months and two weeks of imprisonment for his participation.

Of the three who pleaded not guilty, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to an additional three months for offences committed while on bail, totaling out to 13 months in imprisonment for incitement. Tonyee Chow was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment for incitement and participation, while Gwyneth Ho Kwai-lam was sentenced to six months of imprisonment for participating.

Lee Cheuk-yan and Jimmy Lai’s sentences were to be served concurrently with the other assembly cases and no additional prison time was required, leaving the total sentence for all cases at 20 months for the time being.

Source: HK Citizens' News #Jan13

https://bit.ly/3A6Xj6n

#June4 #Massacre #Vigil #PoliticalProsecution

#FreedomOfSpeech #PoliceState
#PoliticalOppression
#Free #JimmyLai" – Campaign for world attention on Hong Kong #HumanRights and Press Freedom

On Chinese New Year’s eve (Jan 31), a series of transatlantic illuminations aiming to draw international attention on China's #authoritarian rule over Hong Kong were seen on the walls of Tower Bridge in London and Chinese Embassy in Washington DC.

Bright white lights reading "Free Jimmy Lai and the Apple 7" of three storey tall were projected onto the walls.

In addition, the illuminations also showed the "Olympics rings in thorns", a portrait of Jimmy Lai and a yellow umbrella, the symbol of the 2014 Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong.

The US-based designer, Robin Bell said his intention was to grab people's attention on Human Rights around the world.

Mark L. Clifford, president of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong, shared photographs of the illuminations on his Twitter page, calling the upcoming #WinterOlympics in #Beijing " the most shameful Olympics since the 1936 Nazi Olympics in Berlin”.

#ProtestArt #RobinBell #MarkClifford #AppleDaily #FreedomOfSpeech #FreedomOfPublication

Source: RFA; #Jan31
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/uk-jimmy-02012022155410.html

British lawyers defending Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon Jimmy Lai say they have received threats

//Barristers from a British law firm who are representing jailed Hong Kong tycoon and democracy campaigner #JimmyLai said on July 7, 2022 they had received anonymous e-mails warning them against travelling to the city to defend him.

Lai is among the most prominent people in Hong Kong to be charged under a #National SecurityLaw that Beijing imposed in June 2020 to punish terrorism, collusion with foreign forces, subversion and secession with possible life imprisonment.

The barristers - Caoilfhionn Gallagher, Jonathan Price and Jennifer Robinson from Doughty Street Chambers - told Reuters the messages came from a generic Gmail address.

"A person that refuses to abide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region could be extradited...from other jurisdictions. Foreign nationals will be charged with the offences of subversion," one of the e-mails said. "You have been warned not to attempt entry or land in Chinese territory."

The barristers declined to say if they would be travelling to Hong Kong for the trial.

"Threatening journalists, campaigners and lawyers within Hong Kong has been happening for some time," the barristers said in an e-mail.

"Now these intimidatory tactics are spreading outside the borders of China and Hong Kong."

Police said in a statement they were concerned about the media reports and "strongly condemn the act of impersonating police officers". They appealed to those concerned to provide further information.

The government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether the barristers would be allowed to enter Hong Kong.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, Director of the International Bar Association's Institute of Fundamental Rights, condemned what she said was an act of intimidation.

"Intimidating the lawyers who act for citizens pursuing freedom and democracy is the tactic of an authoritarian regime," she said.

"Jimmy Lai's right to instruct international lawyers of his choice is fundamental to a fair trial. The Hong Kong authorities seem to have abandoned the values which underpin the rule of law."//

Source: Reuters #Jul7
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/british-lawyers-defending-hong-kong-tycoon-say-they-receive-threats-2022-07-07/

#PoliceState #CCP #Intimidation #FairTrial #Lawyer #Court #AppleDaily #NextMedia

Former HK Chief Executive mocks Nancy Pelosi tarnishing pro-democracy pursuits in Hong Kong

At the height of military tension over Taiwan following the visit by U.S. House Speaker #NancyPelosi, CY Leung shared six old photographs on his Facebook page on August 4.

Among these pictures were Pelosi meeting renowned pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, including #JimmyLai, #AnsonFong, #MartinLee, #NathanLaw and #JoshuaWong.

Mockingly, Leung remarked, “Everyone she touched…”

Source: CY Leung Facebook; #Aug4

Who is CY Leung?
Official name Leung Chun-Ying, he was Hong Kong’s 3rd Chief Executive, elected by a 1,200-strong small circle electoral college in 2012. He was the only Chief Executive who delivered inaugural speech in Mandarin at that time, although 95% of local population speaks in Cantonese. His business interests have close tie with the Chinese Community Party and utter pro-China stance alienated the people in Hong Kong, which eventually led to the outbreak of Umbrella Movement in 2014. On only the third day of protests, Leung ordered deployment of tear gas on the protesters.

Although Leung decided not to run for the Chief Executive election in 2016 citing family problems, he earned himself a nickname, “wolf-Ying” when he started a dedicated Facebook page in 2018 to defend China’s interests. His abusive remarks on the city’s pro-democracy pursuits, characterized by unapologetic, “dare to struggle” instincts resembled those of China’s "wolf warrior" diplomats.

#LeungChunYing #FacebookPosts

Hong Kong Exchange to Delist Jailed Jimmy Lai Media Group on 12th January 2023;  share value of over HK$7 Million vanished

Next Digital, the media company founded by jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, will be delisted from the Hong Kong stock exchange on January 12, a year and a half after the closure of its flagship newspaper Apple Daily.

On December 23, 2022, the company received a letter from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange notifying that  a review would be carried out to evaluate the company's trading and listing status. The Listing Committee has decided to remove Next Media's listing status citing Listing Rules 6.01A (1) . If Next Media does not appeal this decision, its listing status will be revoked on January 12, 2023.

Next Media responded that it has no intention to appeal this decision.

Before trading suspension, Next Media had a per-share earnings of HK$0.29, with a market value of HK$765 million. According to data disclosed by the Stock Exchange, Next Media's founder Jimmy Lai holds 71.26% of the company's shares. According to RFI, the delisting means that Jimmy Lai and the small shareholders who hold about 30% of the company's shares will together lose HK$765 million."

RFI also reports that according to the Hong Kong Freedom of Speech Annual Report, which was written by anonymous journalists and news scholars and published by the International Journalists' Association, Next Media's rapid downfall is a reflection of a major change in laws affecting media. The report states that the National Security Law has given the Hong Kong government significant power to suppress private property rights, freedom of speech, personal freedom, and the rule of law.

The report also mentions that Next Media, which had one of the top readership and over 500,000 paying online subscribers in Hong Kong, is wiped out within half a year of the law's implementation.

Source: Channel C Hong Kong, #Jan05

https://bit.ly/3WipCbH

#ApplyDaily #JimmyLai #HongKongExchange

UK vows to stand up to "Chinese aggression" and defend Hong Kong's freedoms

In a recent PMQ (Prime Minister's Questions) session, British Prime Minister #RishiSunak was asked to respond to the case of jailed media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is also a British citizen.

Speaking in parliament, Sunak insisted on Britain's right to get involved in its former colony. He pointed out that UK has admitted hundreds of thousands of HongKongers fleeing China's crackdown. He said it will remain robust in standing up to "Chinese aggression".

Sunak also condemned China's oppression and persecution and criticized China for breaking the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

He further stated that he will continue to handle Hong Kong affairs and defend Hong Kong's freedom.

Members of the Conservative Party, including former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, have met with Jimmy Lai's son Sebastien and called for the UK government to issue a warning to China and consider revoking Hong Kong's special administrative region status if China continues to prosecute citizens.

Source: Winandmac; #Jan11

https://www.winandmac.com/2023/01/uk-pmq-jimmylai-case/

#PressFreedom